Recently lot of news is coming out regarding Pakistan sending its troops to Saudi Arabia for Yemen Border. Many people think that this is not right. But lets take a step back and see how these two countries have worked with Pakistan in past.

Pakistan nuclear test:

When many countries around the world put economic sanctions and trade block to Pakistan on testing nuclear devices Saudi Arabia provided petrol to Pakistan free of charge for 4 years. Thing to remember is that out of these 4 years 2.5 years were of Musharraf era. So this gift was not for any particular person but for the people.

Bailout Package

Recently Pakistan foreign exchange reserves went down pretty drastically, deteriorating Pakistan credit rating thus driving the cost of borrowing. Saudi Arabia once again stepped in and provided around US $1.5 billion.

Pakistan Iran gas pipeline:

Pakistan Iran gas pipeline was one of the most expensive gas deals. Iran is charging $15/ MMBTU. However, Turkmenistan is supplying gas to Japan at a rate of $4/ MMBTU (2).

Foreign Remittances:

Pakistani sent US $3 Billion in foreign remittance to Pakistan from Saudi Arabic. No amount is mentioned regarding Iran (1).

Pakistan Nuclear Program:

It is a known fact that only high ranking official of one country is ever allowed to enter Kahuta Nuclear facility of Pakistan and that is of Saudi Arabia. It is also a known fact that the initiation of nuclear proliferation case against Pakistan and vilification campaign against Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan (the known father of Pakistan Nuclear Program) was due to Iran. The one whom we tried to help as a friend and which in turn tried to stab our back and get our nuclear program rolled back.

Other Roles:

Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia has not only helped when asked like after nuclear blast, but it has also helped voluntarily on number of occasion with different projects like Shah Faisal Mosque, large donations when flood or other calamities hit Pakistan.

Iran:

Iran has twice invaded Pakistan international borders and killed our men (3). Iran is involved in directly funding fiqah-jafriya and other terrorist organizations in Pakistan. Apart from some very limited humanitarian aid, Pakistan has never been given any meaningful help from Iran.

Iran is directly involved in proxy wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, Yemen simultaneously. There forces are on record spreading anarchy in these region. Another thing to consider here is that Syria, Lebanon and Yemen all have around 15 – 20% Shia population and in Pakistan also we have around 20% Shia population. So this itself is a very serious question for Pakistan.